Yangshuo

Is about an hour from Guilin, in Guanxi Province, Southern China. Yangshuo itself is a little ghetto-ish. Rather like a Khao San Road for Chinese tourists, with a smattering of Foreign Tourists thrown into the equation. Yes there are lots of touts and crappy souvenirs for sale and the food and accommodation is a bit overpriced, but the surrounding area is stunning - similar to Phra Nang in Thailand, Halong Bay in Vietnam or Vang Vieng in Laos.

It's definitely easiest to stay somewhere along the main strip, Xi Jie (aka "West Street") but if I went back I'd stay in one of the guesthouses a couple of km out of town and bike it in/out.

Things to Do

• Rock-climbing

  Apparently one of the best climbing spots in Asia, this is a great place to learn. Chinaclimb is an Aussie owned/run group that mostly organises team/group climbing lessons. They referred me to Spiderclimb, which appeared to be a very professionally run company. A half day climbing will cost you 200RMB including transport to/from climbing spot, equipment hire and instruction. A full day is 350RMB, 3 days is 700RMB, 7 days is 1600RMB and 14 days is 2500RMB.

  Compared with Railay/Ao Nang in Thailand, it's pretty similar. Though the upside of Railay climbing is that you have the beach right there so you can cool off easily. I wouldn't be swimming in the Li River!

• Cycling

  Take a trip around the nearby countryside - you can hire good mountain bikes for 20RMB for a day from Bamboo Inn. It's an easy 10km cycle out to Moon Hill, which is a pretty cool moon-carved mountain, and there are several places along the way. A few km further on is Gaotian, a pleasant little village, and a little further on are the Silver caves.

• Li River trip from Xingping - Yangdi

  If you try to book with an agency, you will pay as much as 300RMB to jump on a big boat with a load of people. Bamboo Inn organised a trip on a smaller boat for 50RMB per person from Xingping-Yangdi-, plus 13.5RMB total for buses from Yangshuo-Xingping, Yangi-Yangshuo. We got to see exactly the same as everyone else for a much cheaper price. It's very scenic and relaxing.

• Farmer's Market - Opposite the bus station

  If you've been to a farmer's market in Asia, perhaps no surprises here. If you haven't, check it out! All sorts of stuff is available here.

Like I said, Yangshuo is a bit ghetto-ey. It's the surrounding countryside that has all the charm!

Also, there are several nearby caves you can visit. Ask your guesthouse/hostel about em.

Food and Drink

• Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant - Located in the Magnolia hotel.

  Buddhist vegetarian restaurant. The food was tasty, but a little too greasy. I'd go back and try some different dishes because the flavours were very good and the place is really charming, but a little expensive.

• Riverview Hotel

  On the waterfront has some great and very inexpensive dishes.

You can pretty much go to any restaurant around the West St area and find at least a couple of veggie options.

I'd NOT recommend a place called Mei You, unless you want rats running around the table.

Accommodations

• Bamboo Inn and Guest House

  They actually have two guesthouses. Try to stay in the one closer to the river. It's a better location and probably quieter. The staff were lovely here. Rooms were fine, though a little aged. They had a small restaurant here and made awesome breakfast and great veggie burgers. They can help hook you up with a MUCH cheaper trip down the Li River. See in Yangshou section, below